Hibernian Football Club have decided to part ways with head coach David Gray as the team languishes in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the heels of a dismal run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in just six matches this season, most recently a loss to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. While the side did manage to reach the semi‑finals of the domestic League Cup, their European campaign ended abruptly after a Conference League play‑off defeat to Belgian side Gent.
The disappointment on the continental stage adds to a worrying domestic picture: Hibs have now suffered six straight league defeats at Easter Road, matching a club record that dates back to 1920. Gray’s tenure began in June 2024 when he was given a permanent three‑year contract after serving four separate spells as interim manager. The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to focus on coaching, is still revered by many supporters for his iconic goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a strike that secured the club’s first triumph in the competition in 114 years.
His early days in charge were promising. In the 2024/25 season, Hibs finished third under his guidance, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous campaign. However, the recent slump has seen the team hover just two points above the bottom of the table, prompting the board to act.
The club’s hierarchy has now appointed six permanent managers in less than five years, following the exits of Jack Ross (December 2021), Shaun Maloney (five months later), Lee Johnson (the following year), Nick Montgomery (May 2024) and now Gray. In the immediate aftermath, assistant coach John Potter will step in as caretaker for the upcoming match against Aberdeen, while the club issued a statement promising that a new permanent manager will be announced "in due course". Executive chairman Ian Gordon released a heartfelt statement about Gray’s departure: "Dave has been an inspirational figure at the club during his time here, and he has been a true friend and fantastic colleague to so many at the football club. On behalf of my family, I would like to personally thank him for everything he has done for us since we joined the club.
As a person, he constantly set the standard with his attitude, professionalism and general work ethic and he will be sorely missed around the building by all the players and staff. On the pitch, he has delivered some incredible moments for our fans, and brought a level of stability and consistency that we haven't reached in recent years. Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances." Gray, however, remained defiant after the Kilmarnock defeat.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports he said: "I've been here during difficult times and I've been here during good times and you can't just say it's brilliant when things are going well and then not expect a bit of criticism when things aren't. In terms of asking for patience, the fans are frustrated because we're not achieving what we need to be at this stage and winning enough games consistently, especially at home. And I accept that.
All I can say is until someone tells me otherwise, I will be doing everything in my power, everything I possibly can as I have done at this football club to turn it around and I believe we can. It's a difficult time for everybody, the players, football club, because we've lost again off the back of a good result at the weekend and then failed to back it up again." The dismissal underscores the precarious nature of management at Hibernian in recent years. Frequent changes at the helm have made it difficult to establish a long‑term playing philosophy, and the club’s recent record at home – six consecutive defeats – is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
Supporters have expressed a mixture of disappointment and hope, recognizing Gray’s contributions while demanding a fresh direction that can restore competitive stability. Looking forward, Hibernian will need to identify a manager capable of rebuilding confidence, tightening defensive frailties, and delivering the consistency that has eluded the team this season.
The appointment will also need to address the morale of a squad that has struggled to translate occasional positive results into sustained success. With the interim period under John Potter, the club hopes to steady the ship long enough to conduct a thorough search for a leader who can guide Hibs back to the upper echelons of Scottish football. As the season progresses, the pressure will mount on the new manager to reverse the downward trajectory, secure points at Easter Road, and ultimately lift Hibernian out of the relegation zone. The board’s statement that a permanent head coach will be named "in due course" suggests a measured approach, but the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
Fans, players, and staff alike will be watching closely, hoping that the next appointment brings the stability and ambition that the club so desperately needs.